TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACTS OF “MUNDANE” SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
APPROPRIATE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
TECHNOLOGIES (ASETS)
VIENNA ENERGY FORUM 2011
Lakshman Guruswmay, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Energy & Environmental Security
Nicholas Doman Professor of Law, University of Colorado
ACCESS TO ENERGYAPPLAUD UN FOR DECLARING 2012
YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL
SALUTE DR. YUMKELLA, PRADEEP MONGA AND THE DEDICATED UNIDO STAFF FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE
TARGET OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL BY 2030 IS TO BE ACCLAIMED
COST HOWEVER IS DAUNTING
COSTS INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA)
ESTIMATES IT WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL 36 BILLION PER YEAR
OTHERS HAVE STATED THIS IS A UNDERESTIMATE
COSTS COULD BE MORE IN THE RANGE OF 60 -100 BILLION PER YEAR
BUT EVEN AND ADDITIONAL 36 BILLION FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS IS VERY DIFFICULT
NEED A PLAN FOR THOSE WHO WILL NOT BE REACHED BY ELECTRIFICATION
The energy poor encompass between a billion and a quarter and three billion people who do not have access to beneficial energy
for their cooking, illumination, or mechanical needs.
THE ENERGY POOR
APPROPRIATE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY (ASETS)Non Fossil Fuel Based Sustainable
DevelopmentUses Decentralized, Renewable Energy
SourcesLow in Capital CostsWithin Cultural and Social Comfort
Levels; Accentuates Indigenous Knowledge
Promotes local InnovationUses Local MaterialsEncourages Participatory Development
MUNDANE/ SUSTAINABLE MUNDANE/ SUSTAINABLE SCIENCESCIENCE
Energy Poor (EP) trapped in poverty, poor health, social instability & lack of economic development
Energy critical to sustainable human development in Low Energy Societies, BUT
“Sustainable” energy does not equate to modern technologies like fusion (ITER), carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), next generation biofuels or commercial energy
LEAP FROGGING IS DIFFICULT
ASETSASETSCooking Efficient cook-stoves, charcoal,
biogas, passive solar
Water Filtration and Heating
Swach (Tata) water filter passive solar, desalination, fog-collection, rainwater harvesting
Agricultural Technology
Improved plows, sustainable farming practices, passive solar greenhouses
Irrigation Drip irrigation systems, treadle-pumps, ram-pumps, rope-pumps, play pumps
Draft Animal Technology
Improved harnesses, feed systems
Lighting Multifunctional biodiesel platforms, hand-held solar-lamps, mini-electric
Transportation Local biodiesel, mechanical enhancement, improved cart-and wheel design
Waste Management Composting, pit latrines, urine-diversion dehydration toilets
Housing Improved construction practices, solar thermal heating
Local Electric Wind-belt micro-wind, micro-hydro, small-solar
Human Power Improvement
Round-abouts, gear-driven shell-crackers
ASETSASETS
ASETS: TREADLE PUMP
ASETS: TREADLE PUMP
ASETS: DRAFT ANIMAL WATER PUMP
ASETS : PLAYPUMP
WATER PLAYGO ROUND
CHALLENGESCHALLENGES1) The current lack of cohesive collaboration networks representing different types of ASETs is an obstacle to efficient growth of the sector due to unnecessary waste and duplication of financial and human resources. Quality standards and certification procedures are also missing from this sector. (2) Stakeholders must determine how to address the challenge of presenting compelling information and promoting awareness of the negative impacts of energy poverty.
(3) Stakeholders must determine how to address the behavioral issues associated with successful deployment of ASETs, while simultaneously respecting human dignity and cultural concerns
STAKEHOLDERS
Include:•Representatives for ASET end-users•Designers of ASETs•Manufactures of ASETs•Development organizations•Foundations•Governments•Entrepreneurs (all levels)•Finance/Banking
PRIORITY AREAS• Cooking and Heating
(includes clean fuels and insulation)
• Water Access and Sanitation
• Illumination• Motive Energy
(includes agricultural needs, transportation, and basic mechanical energy)
APPROPRIATE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES (ASETS)
EMPHASIZESIntegrated Approaches to Complex Systems
Socio-political and socio-cultural realities
Practical ResultsSustainable DevelopmentAppropriate Sustainable Energy Technologies (ASETs)
PARTNERSHIP FOR RELIEF OF ENERGY POVERTY